Hey y’all! I got waitlisted at my top school, which I’m totally cool with because it isn’t a rejection. I got gotten deferred and lost a lot of hope but so being waitlisted is exciting (except for having to wait another two months again lol).
I definitely want to submit another letter of recommendation, but I’m unsure of what would be best fit. If you guys could give me your input it would be greatly appreciated! I applied as an international politics major and my letters of recommendation were from my school counselor (ofc), history teacher, and Spanish teacher.
My current additional options are:
- head of my summer program, which was with the congressional hispanic caucus institute. he wrote me one for a scholarship and the letter was mostly about how he’s worked with many students yet ive been in the top 5 of the summer program, he sees me as the future and my commitment to activism is strong, etc. etc.
- field team lead for a campaign im interning on for state legislature? they’re in college though, and the campaign is fairly small at the moment. they have worked with me closely.
- international relations professor at my local university? i’m dually enrolled there, not super active in his class but he at least knows my name and is nice to me via zoom lol.
- former green party candidate for congress/local organizer who’s a lawyer? I work with them on mutual aid projects in our area and they attended a rally that i hosted.
ik this is all very specific but i really appreciate the help! I wanna see as many perspectives as possible. tysm!
Unless the school is requesting an additional LOR, I would not send one. Yes, you can write a LOCI for the waitlist with recent accomplishments that weren’t on your original application and updated grades, but don’t send more than is requested.
Do not send a letter. Reality is that a WL is a rejection. It’s just protection for the school unless they fall short. So spend your time figuring where you want to go otherwise because you will need to deposit.
Wait lists either rank or pick to fill holes depending on the school. Example if an east coast school is lacking for west coast students they’ll offer someone from the west.
Most schools have a form asking if you want to be on the WL. That’s all you should do. If you also want to write your AO and show the value you will add to campus and how you will take advantage of the resources offered, it’s ok. It likely won’t help but if it makes you feel better, go ahead. A letter of rec is totally uncalled for and will reflect poorly unless the school mentioned for you to do so.
The best thing you can do for yourself, however, is to pick the best alternate you have and understand it is where you’ll likely end up. The WL is for a desperate school to fix their ills. Most have large ones this year because they are unable to predict yield since students applied to even more schools.
I’m just being honest. Thank you
The school allows an additional LOR if I feel strongly that it would boost my application.
I’d go with the head of your summer program then. Sounds like that person knows you the best.
Honestly, none of these. Top 5 of a summer program? Meh. Of course you are the future - you’re young! You’re the future, no matter what you are.
A recommendation from someone who’s a college student working with you on a campaign?
IR prof who the best you can say is that he knows your name, and is nice to you on zoom?
A lawyer with whom you’ve worked on projects, maybe - if the work were significant, and he could say you’re incredible.
You want a letter of recommendation that says, “This person is amazing, one of the best I’ve ever met, truly exceptional.” That’s what your original letters should have been. If you had one now that said such, then MAYBE - but probably no one will ever read it.
I totally agree, you should not count on getting in off the wait list. You should do what they need you to do, to accept the spot on the wait list, and focus your attention on figuring where you intend to go, of the schools to which you have been accepted. And if for some reason you get a pleasant surprise before August, great!
What do you feel another of LOR will do to add to your candidacy. I can see mid- year grades maybe. That’s just the school stroking you. Did you not look good b4 and now it will be like he’s really much better than we already think?
What school WL you ? What’s your second choice ?
I feel like it should depend on your intended major. If I get waitlisted and can send an additional LOR, since I am majoring in psychology, I would have the professor for one of my dual enrollment college classes write it since he is a licensed clinical psychologist & upper level college professor. So if you plan to send one, I would just recommend it is from someone who knows the strengths of your intended field of study to really strengthen your case 